Holiday Meal With No Fuss

DINING - CHOW HOUND

You Get All The Trimmings At Restaurants

December 18, 1992|By Scott Joseph, Sentinel Restaurant Critic

By now, you should have heard countless renditions of ''We Wish You a Merry Christmas,'' a song that's right up there with ''Happy Birthday to You'' in terms of creative lyrics and the musical ability needed to sing it.

The second verse has the choir singing, ''Now bring us some figgy pudding,'' a demand that is repeated not once but twice in the next lines and followed with an insistent ''and bring it right here.'' And as if that weren't cheeky enough, the choristers in the song's third verse state their intentions to remain on the premises until a) they get some of the aforementioned figgy pudding and b) it is brought directly to where they are standing.

This, of course, is followed by the explanation that ''we all love our figgy pudding'' - as if that's an excuse for rudely demanding same.

The Hound suggests you challenge the little buggers on this point because, chances are, none of the singers has ever had figgy pudding cross their chapped little lips.

And they're not likely to get any either, at least not from Central Florida restaurants.

The Hound sent out a request last week to restaurants, asking who would be open for Christmas dinner and who will have figgy pudding on the menu.

But alas, 'twas not to be. No one, it seems, will have figgy pudding. The good news, however, is that several restaurants will be open Dec. 25 to serve you. When dessert rolls around, try substituting the lyrics, ''Now bring us some Key lime pie.''

And don't go until you get some.

Here's a short list of restaurants open on Christmas, in no particular order and with no recommendation from the Hound. Call immediately for reservations. Call the restaurant again just before you leave the house to verify the reservation. (And always remember to call and cancel if your plans change.) Expect delays, even with reservations. Be patient. Expect things to go wrong (for some reason, cold food is always a problem on holidays). Re-

member, a lot of the folks who will be serving you would rather be spending Christmas with their families and friends. So be nice - Santa starts watching right away for next year.